In Australia, we're celebrating the culmination of Saka Dawa this Saturday, 25 March... It seems there are lots of different days this is held around the world (not sure why.. if anyone does, let me know).

Seeing as it's said to be particularly auspicious to be doing virtuous activities on this day, not to mention increasing generating merit x millions... I'm wondering what everyone had planned for this day?

Going to your local dharma centre or practice day at home or work? Any particular practices you're observing during this time? Braving a Nyung Na retreat?

At my nearest centre, they are having a "Prostratethon" which is also a fundraiser for the gompa. But i don't know, I think I'd prefer to have a mini-retreat at home.. haven't decided yet.

mandala wrote:In Australia, we're celebrating the culmination of Saka Dawa this Saturday, 25 March... It seems there are lots of different days this is held around the world (not sure why.. if anyone does, let me know).

A centre near me chose to celebrate a week early. They don't have a resident ordained teacher and it happened that one of their semi-regular visiting teachers was in town so they took advantage of his presence. He didn't mind, btw, saying that 'Vesak' covers the whole month although 'Vesak Day' is specifically the full moon. We had a lovely evening - chanting, dhamma talk, procession around the stupa, and then supper together.

I will be doing more unpacking and getting the new house set up. But I will try to do it mindfully. I think I will some extra practice with my daily meditation.

mandala wrote:It seems there are lots of different days this is held around the world (not sure why.. if anyone does, let me know).

That is one of the charms of using a lunar calendar. The full moon is about 1:30 am on Saturday in my current time zone. In my old time zone, 4 hours farther west, it is at 9:30 pm Friday. So there are two different days for the observation right there. That is true for every full moon.

Since a year consists of about 12 and a half lunar months, some years have 12 lunar months and some have 13. The choice of which year to give 13 months is somewhat arbitrary, and the calendrical authorities in different cultures may choose different years to have 13 months. The result is that the observation of Vesak may be one month different depending on whose calendar you are using. Generally, it is the same everywhere, but every few years, you get Theravadins observing it in May and Tibetans observing it in June or vice versa.

To further complicate matters, westerners typically like their holidays to be on weekends. This is especially true of non-mainstream religious holidays, which are often work days unless people take a vacation day. So many western sanghas will observe Vesak on whatever weekend is conveniently close to the full moon.

Great to hear what everyone's up to! I hope your Vesak is full of exponential merit & blessings.

Thanks for the explanation, Keith.. I went outside earlier tonight and noticed a bright & lovely full moon, so that makes a bit more sense now.I also noticed my neighbors have a rowdy birthday party kicking off in their backyard, so there's an extra challenge to my meditation plans for tonight!! *gritting teeth*